Rhode Island’s Senate Judiciary Committee Passes Gay Marriage

In a 7-4 vote, Rhode Island’s Senate Judiciary Committe advanced a marriage-equality bill. The ten-member committee approved an amended bill that was sponsored by Donna Nesselbush, D-Pawtucket with an 11th vote coming from Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio, D-Providence. The bill is now ready for the full senate who is expected to vote on the bill as early as tomorrow.

“This is an incredible and historic step forward in the campaign to ensure all loving, committed couples in Rhode Island have the freedom to marry,” said Ray Sullivan, Rhode Islanders United for Marriage campaign director. “We are pleased and proud that the members of the Judiciary Committee were so receptive to the thousands of their constituents who reached out and urged them to vote yes on Senator Nesselbush’s bill. We will continue to connect the supermajority of Rhode Islanders who support marriage equality with their senators before a floor vote, and believe we have the momentum to achieve victory on this critical issue.” [WPRI]